Desjardins set for Flyers' Hall of Fame induction

Chitose Suzuki / AP

Philadelphia Flyers' Eric Desjardins (37) celebrates with teammate Simon Gagne (12) after Desjardins scored during the second period against the Boston Bruins in Boston Friday, Nov. 25, 2005. Desjardins will be inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015.

Philadelphia Flyers' Eric Desjardins (37) celebrates with teammate Simon Gagne (12) after Desjardins scored during the second period against the Boston Bruins in Boston Friday, Nov. 25, 2005. Desjardins will be inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015. (Chitose Suzuki / AP)

Wayne FishCalkins Media

Desjardins to be inducted into Flyers Hall of Fame prior to tonight's game against Buffalo.

VOORHEES – Eric Desjardins may have experienced his greatest glory as a member of the Montreal Canadiens but he will always think of himself as a Flyer.

Why?

Because aside from the Stanley Cup he won with the Habs back in 1993, Desjardins’ career will be more remembered for the performances he gave in Philadelphia.

“Personally, I experienced more in Philly,’’ said Desjardins, who will be inducted into the Flyers’ Hall of Fame on Thursday night in ceremonies prior to the Flyers-Buffalo game. “That’s why the Flyers are so important to me.’’

Desjardins is considered by many to be the second-best defenseman in Flyers’ history, trailing only Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Howe. Desjardins won a record total seven annual Barry Ashbee trophies for best Flyers defenseman in a season (six in a row between 1995-2000) and stands second behind only Howe in points (480-396).

In all, Desjardins played 738 games in Philadelphia, compared to just 405 in Montreal.

“I won a Cup in Montreal, but all the stuff that I experienced personally in Philly - my place on the team, being more of a leader. I had my two kids there; I lived with my wife in Philly,’’ said Desjardins during a Wednesday media conference call.

“The people who are still in the organization are the people who were there when I was there. All that, when you add it all, it’s a pretty big deal for me. That’s how I feel.’’

Earlier this year, Eric Lindros and John LeClair were inducted into the Flyers’ Hall of Fame. Both will be on hand for the Desjardins ceremony, along with Keith Primeau.

“It’s a great honor, there’s no doubt about it,’’ Desjardins said. “I was surprised a little bit when I got the call. For me, it’s a nice closure of my career. It means that I did pretty good for the time I was in Philly. It’s going to be a great night, an emotional night, I’m sure, but it should be fun.’’

Howe, Desjardins and Kimmo Timonen generally are acknowledged as the franchise’s top three defensemen.

The three had somewhat similar styles – skill, speed, puck awareness, strong sticks. . .but not all that physical – and comparisons among the three are legitimate.

“Yeah, but I think Mark was a lot more offensive than me and Kimmo,’’ Desjardins offered. “He played a style that had a lot of speed and had a great wrister. That’s one thing I remember from him, and great hockey sense.

“All around, maybe that’s where I can compare myself with Kimmo. I think Kimmo’s more of an all-around defenseman, more offense than defense, really good positional player, didn’t run around for no reason. That was my kind of game. I was not a guy who was really physical also. Maybe Mark and Kimmo were a little bit more physical than me. Yeah, I think you can compare the three of us.’’

After becoming the first (and only) NHL defenseman to score a hat trick in a Stanley Cup final during Montreal’s 1993 win over Los Angeles, Desjardins was traded to the Flyers just two years later.

It would be a defining moment in his career. Here was a French-Canadian star being sent – along with LeClair and Gilbert Dionne – to Philadelphia for Mark Recchi and a draft pick.

But Desjardins took well to the change of scenery.

“I wasn’t mad (at going) to Philly,’’ Desjardins said. “I was just shocked to leave Montreal because I didn’t expect it. Like you said, a French-Canadian playing in Montreal, it’s probably the best thing an athlete can ask for.

“After the trade, when I got to Philly, everything took off. Personally, I had more responsibilities on the team, and after that, we had success as a team. It didn’t take long for me to really put Montreal behind, move on, and just enjoy my time in Philly. It was a lot of fun. I was a little bit nervous at first because you never know when you go to a new team. I only did it once, but you don’t know the guys on the team, and you don’t know the organization. After a day or two, it was a lot of fun already.’’

Flyers Thursday

What: Buffalo Sabres at Flyers.

When: 8:05 (originally 7:05).

Where: Wells Fargo Center.

TV/Radio: CSN/97.5-FM.

Season series: Flyers lead, 2-0.

What to watch: The game time start has been moved back one hour to accommodate the Eric Desjardins/Flyers’ Hall of Fame ceremonies. . .Flyers have won five straight home games against Buffalo. . .The Sabres are just 5-20-2 on the road, which ranks last in the NHL. They are also last in the NHL on the power play (12.0 percent) and penalty kill (73.8 percent).